The Downfall of the once Great Samurai
Samurai’s have a long, rich history and what it meant to be a Samurai is honor, valor, loyalty. You were also wealthy and were one of the elites of Japan’s class system. Although samurais were once known as “Great”, the samurai’s downfall was inevitable because they want to keep the same traditions not trying modernize. During the eighth century, the Heian Period, around the year 800 to 1200, Samurai originally was referred to household servants. The Heian Era was a time where Japan’s government was ruled by an Emperor who ruled by military force. The Emperor had heavy taxation and those who refused to pay the fine, which were rich landowners, were killed by a well organized calvary called …show more content…
Sankin kodai was a policy for all Daimyos must serve in the capital, which was Edo, for 80% of their time. All the daimyos had to have their wives and children stay in Edo as hostages so that the daimyos do not rebel against them. There were three types of classes of Daimyos. First one is called Shimpan. Shimpans were people with the name of Tokugawa. These Daimyos were given the land around the capital during this time, Edo. Second type of Daimyo was called Fudai. Fudai are usually army officers and give the land around the land given to the Shimpan. Lastly, the Tozama, these guys was called outsiders. These Daimyos hated Tokugawa because of this policy. These daimyos had the land on the outside. This policy was also for the protection of Edo. If an enemy were to attack, they would have to go through all of the types of Daimyos before they reach …show more content…
and letting U.S. Merchant ships into Japanese ports. Perry brought along his squadron of two steamers and two sailing vessels. He brought these ships with fire power for a reason, which was Intimidation. This was a threat to Japan saying sign these treaties or else. This was called Gunboat diplomacy, which refers to the seeking of foreign policy using the display of their biggest naval power with big war ships signifying a threat of warfare. Japanese called black ships of evil appearance. The Japanese heavily disliked this because they wanted to stay isolationist. Being Isolationist means having no foreign influence outside of of their country. Unfortunately for the Japanese, their Navy was non-existent so they could not defend themselves and Japan had no choice but to accept Commodore Matthew Perry’s terms. In 1854, a treaty was signed between the United states and Japan, allowing trade at two ports. This treaty was called Convention of Kanagawa and the Man who had signed the treaty was Abe Masahiro. “In 1858 another treaty was signed which opened more ports and designated cities in which foreigners could reside”.Abe felt it was impossible to fight back American demands with the military force that they had, so he took matters into his own hands and did what he thought was the right and safest option to
Samurai’s have a long, rich history and what it meant to be a Samurai is honor, valor, loyalty. You were also wealthy and were one of the elites of Japan’s class system. Although samurais were once known as “Great”, the samurai’s downfall was inevitable because they want to keep the same traditions not trying modernize. During the eighth century, the Heian Period, around the year 800 to 1200, Samurai originally was referred to household servants. The Heian Era was a time where Japan’s government was ruled by an Emperor who ruled by military force. The Emperor had heavy taxation and those who refused to pay the fine, which were rich landowners, were killed by a well organized calvary called …show more content…
Sankin kodai was a policy for all Daimyos must serve in the capital, which was Edo, for 80% of their time. All the daimyos had to have their wives and children stay in Edo as hostages so that the daimyos do not rebel against them. There were three types of classes of Daimyos. First one is called Shimpan. Shimpans were people with the name of Tokugawa. These Daimyos were given the land around the capital during this time, Edo. Second type of Daimyo was called Fudai. Fudai are usually army officers and give the land around the land given to the Shimpan. Lastly, the Tozama, these guys was called outsiders. These Daimyos hated Tokugawa because of this policy. These daimyos had the land on the outside. This policy was also for the protection of Edo. If an enemy were to attack, they would have to go through all of the types of Daimyos before they reach …show more content…
and letting U.S. Merchant ships into Japanese ports. Perry brought along his squadron of two steamers and two sailing vessels. He brought these ships with fire power for a reason, which was Intimidation. This was a threat to Japan saying sign these treaties or else. This was called Gunboat diplomacy, which refers to the seeking of foreign policy using the display of their biggest naval power with big war ships signifying a threat of warfare. Japanese called black ships of evil appearance. The Japanese heavily disliked this because they wanted to stay isolationist. Being Isolationist means having no foreign influence outside of of their country. Unfortunately for the Japanese, their Navy was non-existent so they could not defend themselves and Japan had no choice but to accept Commodore Matthew Perry’s terms. In 1854, a treaty was signed between the United states and Japan, allowing trade at two ports. This treaty was called Convention of Kanagawa and the Man who had signed the treaty was Abe Masahiro. “In 1858 another treaty was signed which opened more ports and designated cities in which foreigners could reside”.Abe felt it was impossible to fight back American demands with the military force that they had, so he took matters into his own hands and did what he thought was the right and safest option to